Replicas

Realising the money making potential after the film release, Ron Pym, of Sterling Scooters began to build replicas of VCB 160 and were made available to anyone who wanted one. Although, just how many were made may never be known.

Kevin Percival who works for a scooter shop in Portsmouth created an exact replica of VCB 160 and even managed to acquire a special number plate to use with it - 160 VCB. This is of course, as close as possible to the original number, that in the film is the opposite: VCB 160. While completing his rebuild of his original on screen Vespa, Dave Wyburn then purchased the number plate from Kevin along with the scooter itself.

Littledean Jail in Gloucestershire, as mentioned previously, houses two very special scooters from Quadrophenia. Not only does it have Dave Wyburn's original screen Vespa, but along side this, there sits a replica of Jimmy's Lambretta Li.

Here are some images of the replicas that have surfaced since Quadrophenia.

eBay VCB replicas

Although not a full 100% replica, it is quite clear where the inspiration came from and altogether it looks very special. It appears that the scooter was an 1965 import from Spain and has had all the work done here in the UK. If I didn't already have a scooter, I'd have been very interested in making a bid myself. After initially being sold for just £1700, for unknown reasons it was auctioned again and made £2500. The replica pictured below was also on eBay, but little information was available.

Lambretta LI GP 200

Recently, on eBay.co.uk there appeared a rather neat replica of Jimmy's Lambretta LI. Although registered on a 1969 "G" plate it is an Indian produced Vijay from the 1980's.

Solely Scooters

In the April/May 2010 edition of Classic Scooterist Scene magazine, there was a two-page feature on a new replica of Jimmy's Lambretta, that looks the absolute business.

It is a full reproduction and has been made with the vision of improving on the original. Pete Merchant, the owner, based at Solely Scooters in Rochdale has recently completed the scooter and subsequently offered it at a very reasonable £6995. Unsurprisingly, it is now sold, but, I hope you'll agree that it looks fantastic.

On a more personal note, in the aforementioned magazine, you can see on the letters page my original request for more help and information for which Mau Spencer answers. It is quite clear that he understandably gets requests like this often.

One of his outlets is located in Carnaby Street London and in the basement features something very special, a replica of Jimmy's Lambretta.

For more information and photos of Liam in and around Brighton and retracing Quadrophenia locations, go to www.prettygreen.com

Liam Gallagher

Former Oasis front man Liam Gallagher, who now has his own clothing label, Pretty Green, was loaned a very special scooter for his website launch.  The photo shoot had him wearing his obligatory parka and the above shot sat was astride a loaned Vespa GS. (Then owned by Dave Wyburn).

Jimmy's Lambretta seat. The writing says:

"This is the original seat from my Lambretta scooter used in Quadrophenia. Leslie Ash's bums be on here, I sat on it to. [SIC]. All the best Phil Daniels."

Littledean Jail

During the Easter holidays of 2010, I visited Littledean Jail in Gloucestershire to take a look at the Quadrophenia exhibit they have installed there. The place is packed full with interesting articles, from Taxidermy to wax works, autographs to hand written letters and toys to models. I was thoroughly astonished at how much has been squeezed into the jail and I highly recommend a visit.

Their Quadrophenia exhibit was of course, the highlight for me and is housed in its very own building, packed full of Quadrophenia memorabilia and film props.

In the foreground of these pictures, you can see a Union Jack covered part that is actually a rear engine panel, it even has a Modrapheniacs logo on it. According to a small sign in front of the scooter it states that these were to be used on Jimmy's LI, however they were deemed too flash and a bit over the top, so were dispensed with.